Croatian women’s bowling team are world champions again

(Photo: Hrvatski kuglački savez)

SZÉKESFEHÉRVÁR, 8 June 2025 (Hina) – Croatia’s women’s ninepin bowling team have once again proven they are the best in the world, successfully defending their world champion title from 2023 with a commanding 6-2 victory over Germany in the final held in Székesfehérvár, Hungary.

The final score in total pins was 3,642 to 3,579 in Croatia’s favour.

Throughout the tournament, the Croatian team showcased composure, consistency, and class. They topped their group in the preliminary round, followed by convincing wins in both the quarter-finals and semi-finals. In the final, they overcame a traditionally strong German side, underlining their dominance on the global stage.

The opening block of the final featured standout performances from Amela Nicol Imširović, Klara Sedlar, and Matea Juričić, who laid a solid foundation with impressive play.

In the second block, seasoned players Paula Polanšćak, Venesa Bogdanović, and captain Nataša Ravnić brought a combination of experience and tactical discipline that proved decisive.

Croatia closed out the match with an overall margin of 63 pins – an emphatic and well-deserved win.

After the final, team captain Nataša Ravnić shared an emotional message: “Sometimes it’s hard to put emotions into words, but I’ll say this – all for one, and one for all. We always have each other’s backs – always and forever. To defend the world champion title… it’s indescribable. I’m once again the proudest captain in the world.”

Men’s Team Miss Out on Quarter-Finals

Unfortunately, Croatia’s men’s team did not advance past the group stage, finishing third in their group. With only the top two teams from each group progressing to the quarter-finals, they narrowly missed out on a place among the final eight.

Team Line-ups

Women’s Team:
Ana Bacan Schneider, Venesa Bogdanović, Valentina Gal, Amela Nicol Imširović, Matea Juričić, Sara Pejak, Paula Polanšćak, Nataša Ravnić, Klara Sedlar, Anja Vicković.

Men’s Team:
Borna Bakran, Mihael Grivičić, Andrej Kovač, Nikola Muše, Ivan Petric, Pere Petric, Luka Požega, Dario Prađeno, Ivan Totić, Bojan Vlakevski.

Final Match Results – Croatia vs Germany (6–2)

Sarah Conrad – Amela Nicol Imširović 0:1 (2:2, 572:599)

Bianca Golla – Klara Sedlar 0:1 (1:3, 603:619)

Celine Zenker – Matea Juričić 1:0 (3:1, 603:598)

Sandra Sellner – Paula Polanšćak 0:1 (2:2, 587:616)

Saskia Seitz – Venesa Bogdanović 1:0 (2.5:1.5, 589:575)

Alina Dollheimer – Nataša Ravnić 0:1 (2:2, 625:635)